R.I.P. Hal David

UPDATED:Hal David, the Oscar-winning songwriter who wrote “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” for Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, died today after suffering a stroke, according the Associated Press. He was 91. David, a longtime collaborator with Burt Bacharach, was nominated alongside Bacharach three other times during his career. The first was for penning “What’s New Pussycat?” for the 1965 film, then for the title theme in 1966’s Alfie, and again for “The Look Of Love” featured in 1967’s Casino Royale. David and Bacharach’s writing partnership produced some of the best-known songs inside and outside of the film and TV business, including “Close To You,” “Magic Moments,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “Walk On By” and “I Say A Little Prayer.” In May, David and Bacharach received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during a White House tribute concert attended by President Barack Obama. David also served as president of ASCAP and was a longtime member. ASCAP’s current president, the songwriter Paul Williams, said in a statement: “As a lyric writer, Hal was simple, concise and poetic — conveying volumes of meaning in fewest possible words and always in service to the music. It is no wonder that so many of his lyrics have become part of our everyday vocabulary and his songs… the backdrop of our lives.”